Bill could put squeeze on recycling programs statewide
Waste management districts would need county OK to levy property taxes to fund their programs.
Energy & Environment
Articles
State power rates could increase 14 percent under new rules
An analysis prepared for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission predicts new federal clean air regulations will raise electricity rates in the state by about 14 percent by 2020 because of necessary upgrades to coal-fired power plants.
Poet LLC putting plan for ethanol pipeline on hold
The nation's largest ethanol company announced Friday that it is putting on hold its plan to build a dedicated 1,800-mile ethanol pipeline because of the lack of prospects for a federal loan guarantee.
Hoosier Environmental Council monitoring three bills in General Assembly
The state’s largest green group is seeking changes to measures it says could strip funding and oversight for environmental protection.
Indianapolis-area mergers and acquisitions in 2011
A number of acquisitions last year disclosed no sale price. In the Indianapolis area, those deals ranged from MacAllister Machinery’s purchase of a Caterpillar dealership in Michigan to Herff Jones’ acquisition of a Memphis, Tenn.-headquartered maker of cheerleading uniforms.
Indiana deals ranged upward of $800 million
Mergers and acquisitions in 2011 ranged from WellPoint’s acquisition of CareMore to a trucking company merger.
Price of Indiana farmland at a premium
A once-in-a-generation combination of strong grain prices, high farm incomes and unprecedented interest in commodities investments has caused prices for agricultural acreage to skyrocket.
ProLiance might go on block
Indianapolis-based ProLiance, a natural-gas marketer and supplier, was singed by a $57.2 million pretax loss in the first nine months of 2011, causing some analysts to wonder if majority owner Vectren Corp. will try to sell its 61-percent stake in the company.
Bill seeks elected utility consumer counselor
A legislator is proposing that Indiana’s utility consumer counselor be elected rather than appointed by the governor.
Ethanol makers shrug off expiration of key tax credit
It looks like motorists, not ethanol makers, stand to feel the pain of a federal tax credit that expired at the end of last year.
Seats from Bush Stadium to live on at bus stops
A local group has partnered with IndyGo to pay homage to one of the city’s great sports landmarks by installing Bush Stadium’s seats at bus stops all over the city.
Daniels praises delay of federal pollution rule
Gov. Mitch Daniels is praising a court ruling that's delayed an Obama administration regulation aimed at reducing power plant pollution in 27 states that contributes to unhealthy air downwind.
Bugs may be resistant to genetically modified corn
One of the nation's most widely planted crops — a genetically engineered corn plant that makes its own insecticide — may be losing its effectiveness because a major pest appears to be developing resistance more quickly than scientists expected.
Going green is driving savings at Cummins
Cummins has invested about $10 million in 70 projects in its Indiana facilities since 2007, leading to annual savings of $4 million.
Unions approve deal with gas utility Vectren North
The firm says 270 union workers will soon be back on the job after they ratified a new three-year labor agreement.
State unlikely to revive natural-gas grandeur
Indiana was once the world’s capital for natural-gas production, but recent advances in drilling and resource-recovery technology are not likely to revive those glory days anytime soon because of a combination of human-made and natural obstructions.
Neighborhood eyesore headed for demolition
The city is soliciting bids from companies to tear down four buildings on the 16-acre Avanti Development Corp. property, which is tucked in a residential area a few miles west of downtown Indianapolis.
Vectren locks out union workers in dispute
Vectren has locked out 270 union workers at several Indiana worksites after the union rejected a proposed three-year-contract.
City avoids foreign brands in adding to its fleet of hybrid vehicles
The Department of Public Works bought Ford Fusion hybrids after the purchase of Toyota’s a few years ago stirred controversy.
Utility counselor seeks reprieve on coal plant emissions
In a letter to the EPA, Indiana's utility consumer counselor says the three-year timetable threatens the safety and reliability of Indiana's power supply while ignoring the high cost of compliance.